With multiple threats to our rights, freedoms, and federal programs coming from Washington, DC, the government in Richmond is essential for our continued well-being.
Defending programs and defending Virginians: We need a Governor who will advocate for a state budget that defends funding for our public schools, public health, farmers, and small businesses. We need a Lieutenant Governor who can bring in bipartisan support and/or break ties in the General Assembly. We need an Attorney General who will work with other Democratic Attorneys General to resist imperial rule from the White House and abuse of citizens from a Department of Justice that no longer follows the law.
We must elect Democrats to the House of Delegates this year to exercise our rights to amend the Virginia Constitution in 2026. Andrew Payton (HD34), Cathy Rec (HD33), and Jena Crisler (HD35) all support your right to vote on critical constitutional issues. Their Republican opponents would block putting three important issues on the 2026 ballot.
If Republicans gain control of the General Assembly, citizens will be denied the opportunity to vote on three proposed constitutional amendments in November 2026.
Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment: Passed in 2025 by a vote of 21-18 in the House of Delegates and 51-46 in the Senate. This amendment would enshrine a fundamental right to reproductive freedom in the Virginia Constitution, potentially impacting access to abortion, birth control, and other reproductive healthcare services. This amendment is needed to protect our rights to reproductive healthcare including access to birth control no matter what laws come out of Washington.
Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment: This amendment removes an earlier amendment stating that marriage is between one man and one woman. While this part of the Virginia Constitution is currently overridden by federal laws protecting marriage equality, should those federal laws change, same sex marriages in Virginia would be threatened. Passed in 2025 by a vote of 24-15 with 1 not voting in the House of Delegates and 58-34 with 8 not voting in the Senate. This amendment would remove the existing constitutional provision defining marriage as between one man and one woman. If approved, it would ensure the state does not deny marriage licenses based on sex, gender, or race. This amendment protects marriage equality even if it is overturned at the federal level.
Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Upon Release Amendment: Passed in 2025 by a vote of 55-42 in the House of Delegates and 21-18 in the Senate. This amendment would automatically restore voting rights to individuals upon release from prison, a change that would streamline the process compared to the current system. The system for restoring voting rights to felons after they rejoin their community is complicated and capricious; it changes with each governor. This amendment would follow the rest of the country in making the restoration of rights automatic and not dependent on who holds the governorship. There is a history of GOP legislators preventing Virginians from voting on this amendment. In 2022, the Republicans killed an amendment in committee after it had passed both houses in 2021. We cannot let this happen again!
We must elect Democrats to the House of Delegates this year to exercise our rights to amend the Virginia Constitution in 2026. Andrew Payton (HD34), Cathy Rec (HD33), and Jena Crisler (HD35) all support your right to vote on critical constitutional issues. Their Republican opponents would block putting three important issues on the 2026 ballot.
If Republicans gain control of the General Assembly, citizens will be denied the opportunity to vote on three proposed constitutional amendments in November 2026.
Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment: Passed in 2025 by a vote of 21-18 in the House of Delegates and 51-46 in the Senate. This amendment would enshrine a fundamental right to reproductive freedom in the Virginia Constitution, potentially impacting access to abortion, birth control, and other reproductive healthcare services. This amendment is needed to protect our rights to reproductive healthcare including access to birth control no matter what laws come out of Washington.
Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment: This amendment removes an earlier amendment stating that marriage is between one man and one woman. While this part of the Virginia Constitution is currently overridden by federal laws protecting marriage equality, should those federal laws change, same sex marriages in Virginia would be threatened. Passed in 2025 by a vote of 24-15 with 1 not voting in the House of Delegates and 58-34 with 8 not voting in the Senate. This amendment would remove the existing constitutional provision defining marriage as between one man and one woman. If approved, it would ensure the state does not deny marriage licenses based on sex, gender, or race. This amendment protects marriage equality even if it is overturned at the federal level.
Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Upon Release Amendment: Passed in 2025 by a vote of 55-42 in the House of Delegates and 21-18 in the Senate. This amendment would automatically restore voting rights to individuals upon release from prison, a change that would streamline the process compared to the current system. The system for restoring voting rights to felons after they rejoin their community is complicated and capricious; it changes with each governor. This amendment would follow the rest of the country in making the restoration of rights automatic and not dependent on who holds the governorship. There is a history of GOP legislators preventing Virginians from voting on this amendment. In 2022, the Republicans killed an amendment in committee after it had passed both houses in 2021. We cannot let this happen again!
